Thursday, February 9, 2017

Since Pushya nakshatra operates for some hours after sunrise on February 10, 2017 and Pournami also begins only on Feb 10, 2017 for those in India, it would be more appropriate to observe Thai-Poosam on February 10th in India and other countries to the east of India. (However, due to observance of Vaakya panchang by most Tamil Nadu temples, they are observing it on February 9th itself which is also okay since Poosam nakshatram operates for major part of the day on February 9th itself).

Those living in Middle-East, European countries, countries in African continent, and US, Canada, and other countries of the American continents may observe this on February 9, 2017 without any variation in the observance.

Those living in countries to the East of India like Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Isles, etc. may observe this on February 10, 2017 which will be more appropriate.

It is a festival dedicated in Honour of Lord Skanda - the Son of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Skanda put an end to the atrocities of the demon Taarakaasura on this day with the Blessings of His Divine Parents - Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.

Float-festival is observed in Madurai Meenaakshi -SundarEshwarar temple on this day; all major Muruga temples celebrate this festival in a grand manner.

Recital of mantras like Kanda Shashti kavacham, Kandar Anubhooti, Kandar Kali Vennbaa, Tirumurugaarruppadai, etc. will be very auspicious on this day. Even if you do not know any of these (these are all powerful Tamil Hymns and obviously persons who don't have Tamil as Mother Tongue may not be comfortable with these), you can recite "Om Skanda GuravE namah" "Om kumaaraaya namah" "Om DhandapaanayE namah" "Om satrusamhaaraaya namah" "Om shakti hastaaya namah" etc. that are His powerful names.

If you have inimical activity in your life and are feeling anxious and insecure, you may try worshipping Lord Skanda (lord Muruga) today. Even Saatwik persons may pray for overcoming enemies.....afterall, our greatest enemies are within ourselves - Fear, Pride, Arrogance, Lust, Illusion, etc.

For everyone - around the world, GURU PUSHYA yoga operates for a major part of the day today. Guru-Pushya yoga is an auspicious period for new beginnings, learning advanced mantraic procedures, and trying to get siddhi of mantras for prayogas. Advanced students/ aspirants of spirituality should not let go of this wonderful day. Try invoking the mantras/ slokhas you know well and get command over them (which is when you would be able to invoke their power with great intensity and see tangible results). If you have yantras or Divine Idols consecrated in your house, this is a great day to re-energize them by appropriate poojas; ;this is also an auspicious day for consecrating new yantras and learning new mantras.

May our members utilize these spiritually significant days for Divine Contemplation and become recipients of Divine Grace which is our Real Wealth and which will NEVER suffer recessionary trends!